makepad-2.0-dsl

Overview of makepad-2.0-dsl skill

makepad-2.0-dsl is a focused skill for working with the Makepad 2.0 DSL, especially when you need to write, read, or fix script_mod! UI code without falling into 1.x syntax habits. It is best for frontend developers, Rust UI authors, and agents that need a practical makepad-2.0-dsl guide for property assignment, named widgets, merge behavior, and Rust binding patterns.

What this skill helps you do

The main job is to turn rough UI intent into valid Makepad 2.0 DSL: choosing : instead of =, using := for named instances, and applying merge syntax correctly. That matters because many failures are syntax-shaped, not design-shaped, and generic prompt help often misses the exact operators Makepad expects.

Why it is worth installing

The makepad-2.0-dsl skill is most useful when output correctness depends on small DSL rules: no commas between siblings, dot-path overrides, let bindings, and property categories that affect layout or drawing. If you need predictable code generation or code review support for Makepad 2.0, this skill reduces trial-and-error.

Best-fit use cases

Use it when you are building a Makepad app, translating older live_design! examples, or checking whether a widget tree will behave correctly at runtime. It is less useful if you only want a general UI prompt and do not need exact Makepad syntax.

How to Use makepad-2.0-dsl skill

Install and trigger it correctly

Install with:

npx skills add ZhangHanDong/makepad-skills --skill makepad-2.0-dsl

Trigger the makepad-2.0-dsl skill when your request clearly mentions Makepad 2.0 DSL, script_mod!, a property-system issue, or a named widget problem. If you are asking an agent to help, say the goal and the failure mode: “Convert this legacy Makepad snippet to 2.0 DSL” is better than “clean this up.”

Give input that the DSL can actually use

Strong inputs describe widget structure, layout intent, and which parts must be addressable from Rust. For example, specify whether a child needs an id, whether the parent is Fit, and which properties should be inherited versus replaced. A weak prompt says “make this prettier”; a stronger one says “build a two-column panel with a named submit button, fixed header height, and inherited background styling.”

Read these files first

Start with SKILL.md, then inspect references/dsl-syntax-reference.md and references/property-system.md. Those two references cover the rules most likely to block adoption: syntax forms, merge semantics, layout defaults, and the height: Fit gotcha that can make nested containers disappear.

Workflow that produces better output

Use a short loop: describe the widget goal, ask for a Makepad 2.0 DSL draft, then verify the result against the syntax reference before applying it. For makepad-2.0-dsl usage, pay attention to whether the answer uses width, height, flow, and draw_* in the right property category, because incorrect placement usually means broken layout or styling.

makepad-2.0-dsl skill FAQ

Is this only for Makepad 2.0 projects?

Yes. This makepad-2.0-dsl skill is aimed at the 2.0 DSL and its script_mod! workflow, not the old live_design! macro style. If your codebase is still on 1.x conventions, use it as a migration aid rather than a direct drop-in.

Is it better than a generic prompt?

Usually yes, because the value here is syntax precision, not creativity. A generic prompt can describe the UI, but makepad-2.0-dsl is more likely to preserve colon syntax, named instances, and merge rules that Makepad actually enforces.

Can beginners use it?

Yes, if they have a concrete target widget or layout. Beginners usually get the best results when they provide a rough sketch, expected child names, and whether they need Rust access to elements through id! or ids!.

When should I not use it?

Do not use it if you are not writing Makepad UI code or if you only need broad frontend advice with no DSL constraints. It is also a poor fit when the request is too vague to map to a widget tree, property set, or binding pattern.

How to Improve makepad-2.0-dsl skill

Provide the constraints that matter most

The biggest quality gains come from sharing layout and ownership details up front: parent size behavior, named children, and whether a template should be merged or replaced. For makepad-2.0-dsl for Frontend Development, these constraints are often more important than visual styling preferences.

Avoid the common failure modes

The most common mistakes are using =, forgetting that sibling properties are whitespace-separated, and placing a container inside Fit without height: Fit. Another frequent issue is asking for a named widget while forgetting that := changes how the instance is stored and addressed.

Ask for output in the shape you need

If you want reusable code, say so and request a let-based template or a registered widget example. If you want a direct patch, ask for only the changed block and mention the exact property path, such as draw_bg.color or title.text, so the response is easier to apply.

Iterate by testing one rule at a time

When the first output is close but not correct, revise the prompt with the smallest possible change: adjust one layout rule, one binding target, or one merge path. That keeps the makepad-2.0-dsl guide focused on the issue that actually failed, which is usually faster than regenerating the whole UI.